Troopers remain suspended pending internal review of sex allegations

Although they no longer face criminal investigation in an alleged sexual assault of a college student, seven state troopers will not be allowed to return to work until an internal affairs inquiry is concluded, officials said today.

Capt. Al Della Fave, a spokesman for the State Police, said Superintendent Rick Fuentes has asked prosecutors to turn over the files from their probe. Then once the division's internal affairs investigators finish their work, Della Fave said, Fuentes will decide the troopers' fate.

The troopers have been suspended with pay since the investigation began seven months ago and "their circumstances have not changed," Della Fave said.

Authorities announced on Thursday the troopers would not face criminal charges as the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office decided to drop the case without bringing it to a grand jury.

A 25-year old Rider University student reported last December that she had been sexually assaulted by several men, including one or more off-duty troopers, at the Ewing Township home of one of the officers after a night of drinking at a Trenton bar.

On Thursday, the troopers' lawyers said they hoped dropping the case would allow the men to return to work by Monday. Today Charles Sciarra, a lawyer for one of the troopers, said he and the officers are disappointed by the ongoing suspensions, but they would continue to cooperate with investigators.

"I've never met people more anxious to get back to their careers," Sciarra said. "But they've waited this long and they'll wait a little longer. We fully anticipate they will -- sooner or later -- be back to work."

The troopers' identities have never been released and none of them has spoken publicly about the case.

The victim, who has declined to be identified, was upset by the prosecutor's decision and is considering filing a civil lawsuit or asking the U.S. Attorney's Office to review the case, according to her attorney, Nat Dershowitz. He said the continued suspension of the troopers is "too little, too late."

Attorney General Anne Milgram, who oversees the State Police, has declined comment since the case was dropped Thursday.

Davy Jones, president of the troopers union, said the troopers' suspension with pay has been unusual from the start; most suspensions are unpaid. But, he stressed that the internal affairs review is standard following a criminal investigation.